Message from the Superintendent Exercising one’s right to vote in America is always fundamentally important, and this particular election is no different. As adults, we have the opportunity to exercise our civic responsibility of voting, at a time when the present context is one of increasing social division, a global pandemic and economic crisis, and while we witness young people demanding a racial reckoning. This election will test our community and country. It challenges us to ask ourselves, who are we and what do we want for our future? As educators, we have another opportunity: to help and support our students (most of whom are not yet of voting age) understand how our democracy works, to ensure they have an objective knowledge of the current issues, and to support them in understanding the outcomes of an election. As educators we have an important responsibility to prepare our students with an understanding of the civic participation necessary for our democracy to thrive. The more our students know about our systems of government, the more prepared they will be to engage in critical civic discourse and participate in the betterment of our community. Additionally, our values of racial equity and social justice require us to provide culturally responsive curriculum and instruction. We must assist students in developing critical consciousness and sociopolitical awareness that reflect an ongoing commitment to challenge injustice and disrupt inequities and oppression of any group of people. Public education can be a powerful antidote for the lack of civility we often see demonstrated in political discourse today. We have the skill and practice to support students as they develop their own critical thinking and empowerment skills. During this upcoming week, we have the opportunity to prepare ourselves, and our students, to lead the thoughtful and critical civic engagement we hope to see. Now more than ever, we need the next generation of leaders to demonstrate the characteristics outlined in our vision, PPS reImagined. The heart of our vision is the Graduate Portrait. It is our promise to our students and families.
PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
3
